Horse Racing News Etc.

[Kimmy]

KEMPTON
GOING: GOOD (GoingStick: Chs 7.3, Hdl 7.3) (Rail moved out 2m on both Chase and Hurdle courses on home bend)
WEATHER (Dry for a while but cloudy, with patchy rain expected later; fresh north-westerly winds)


PLUMPTON
GOING: GOOD (Watered; GoingStick: Hurdle 8.9, Chase 9.3)
WEATHER (A cold start; dry for a time but mostly cloudy with patchy light rain possible in the afternoon; brisk north-westerly winds)


WOLVERHAMPTON
GOING: STANDARD
WEATHER (Overcast with drizzle in places during the morning; turning drier and brighter in the afternoon; brisk north-westerly winds)

[Kimmy]

BRITISH racing is facing an interrupted programme of Sunday fixtures in 2010, following a decision by BHA executives to put forward a schedule with four blank days, which mirrors their original intention for this year.

[Kimmy]

Non Runners Updated
Kempton
15:50 1 Bring Me Sunshine (IRE)
16:25 5 Celticello (IRE)

Plumpton
14:30 4 Yossi (IRE)

Wolverhampton
14:20 6 Ten Pole Tudor,8 Beckenham's Secret
14:50 2 Secret Dubai (IRE)
15:25 7 Bet Noir (IRE)
16:35 4 Parisian Gift (IRE)

[Kimmy]

BOOKMAKERS have urged racing not to "shoot itself in the foot" after one source close to the BHA team assembling the 2010 fixture list claimed that four blank Sundays would be proposed to provide the organisation with "a gun to hold to the bookmakers' heads".

Under the plan put forward by BHA executives, the 2010 programme will include four Sundays without British racing. The same plan had been scheduled for this year but was dropped as part of the 11th hour agreement reached between racing and the betting industry over the 2009-10 levy scheme.
George Primarolo: 'Returning our own SPs will also prepare us for the future'



Both William Hill and Totesport questioned the source's tone. "Every time the racing industry gets hold of a gun, it tends to shoot itself in the foot," said William Hill's David Hood, while Totesport's George Primarolo said: "If racing is merely using the blank Sundays as a negotiating tool, it should be careful it doesn't slip and shoot itself in the foot."

[banger]

The First Non Runners Are At------

Sedgefield
14:30 6 Not Talking (IRE)
15:00 3 Sprinkler

Southwell
14:40 4 Brave Jo (FR)
15:40 4 Flaco (IRE)

[banger]

Update
Sedgefield
14:30 6 Not Talking (IRE)
15:00 3 Sprinkler
15:30 6 Master Nimbus
17:00 9 Caraman (IRE)

Southwell
14:40 4 Brave Jo (FR)
15:40 4 Flaco (IRE)

[Kimmy]

MONEY continues to pour in for War Of Attrition in the Grand National market, with one leading bookmaker admitting the monster gamble "shows no sign of subsiding".

The 2006 Gold Cup winner, who has never raced beyond 3m2½f, was widely available at 33-1 for the 4m4f marathon over the weekend but after three days of support is now just 16-1 with William Hill after the firm trimmed him from 20-1 on Tuesday morning.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: "Be under no illusions, this isn’t just patriotic money for War Of Attrition as punters are backing him from both sides of the Irish sea.

"He now rates as the second-biggest loser in the book behind favourite My Will, and the gamble shows no sign of subsiding."

War Of Attrition, currently allotted 11st 6lb, has only six horses ahead of him in the betting for the famous handicap including ante-post favourite My Will, and fellow Irish raiders Southern Vic and Black Apalachi.

[Kimmy]

TAUNTON

GOING: GOOD TO FIRM (Firm in places; GoingStick 10.8; rails well in reducing the circuit by approx 100m)

WEATHER (Staying with sunny spells for much of the day; turning cloudier through the evening; strong north-westerly winds)


TOWCESTER

GOING: GOOD (GoingStick 8.7; Watering)

WEATHER (Bright with sunny spells but also a chance of isolated showers; strong north-westerly winds)
LINGFIELD

GOING: STANDARD

WEATHER (Bright with sunny spells but also the chance of isolated showers, possibly heavy; brisk north-westerly winds)

STALLS 5f & 1m - Outside; Remainder - Inside

KEMPTON

GOING: STANDARD

WEATHER (Dry with clear spells and variable amounts of cloud throughout the evening; strong westerly winds)

STALLS 1m 4f - Centre; Remainder - Inside

[Kimmy]

A lot of bad weather about today so beware of going changes.

[banger]

Not Going Racing Today Are----
Kempton
18:50 5 Keep Ringing (USA),9 Spinning Belle (IRE)

Lingfield
15:20 2 Scandal
15:50 4 Art Market (CAN)

Taunton
15:30 5 Fire And Rain (FR)
16:00 2 Mutual Friend (USA),6 Boogie Dancer
17:30 3 Lucky Eric

Towcester
14:10 4 McEldowney
15:10 6 Pickamus

[Kimmy]

Latest Hills prices for the Lincoln.

Expresso Star 4/1
Charm School 9/1
Swop 9/1
Fireside 10/1
Huzzah 11/1
Don’t Panic 14/1
Flipando 14/1
Mangham 14/1
Zaahid 14/1
Extraterrestrial 16/1
Decameron 20/1
Slugger O'Toole 20/1
Spectait 20/1
Titan Triumph 20/1
Ace Of Hearts 25/1
Arabian Spirit 25/1
Bencoolen 25/1
Blythe Knight 25/1
Docofthebay 25/1
Manassas 25/1
Mia's Boy 25/1
Smokey Oakey 25/1
Benandonner 33/1
Bolodenka 33/1
Cobo Bay 33/1
Dunn'o 33/1
European Dream 33/1
Eva's Request 33/1
Flawed Genius 33/1
Flowing Cape 33/1
Kavachi 33/1
Lady Deauville 33/1
Majuro 33/1
Medici Pearl 33/1
Mister Ross 33/1
Opus Maximus 33/1
Pravda Street 33/1
Royal Power 33/1
The Fifth Member 33/1
Thebes 33/1
Whistledownwind 33/1
Ansells Pride 40/1
Big Noise 40/1
Charlie Tipple 40/1
Dream Lodge 40/1
Fremen 40/1
Invincible Force 40/1
Jack Junior 40/1
Kings Point 40/1
Minority Report 40/1
Nanton 40/1
Philario 40/1
Rainbow Mirage 40/1
Stevie Gee 40/1
The Osteopath 40/1
Alpes Martimes 50/1
Dabbers Ridge 50/1
Horatio Carter 50/1
Intabih 50/1
Kingsdale Orion 50/1
Light From Mars 50/1
Lucky Dance 50/1
Magnitude 50/1
Mujaadel 50/1
My Gacho 50/1
Nightjar 50/1
Osteopathic Remedy 50/1
Pride Of Nation 50/1
Raptor 50/1
Arizona John 66/1
Captain Jacksparra 66/1
Exit Smiling 66/1
Geojimali 66/1
Last Sovereign 66/1
Mozayada 66/1
White Deer 66/1
Wigwam Willie 66/1
Wind Shuffle 66/1
Carlitos Spirit 100/1
Green Park 100/1
Mount Hadley 100/1
Sudden Impact 100/1
Tiger Dream 100/1
Grey Boy 150/1
Ours 150/1
Smarty Socks 150/1
Yes One 150/1

[Kimmy]

Non Runners Updated
Kempton
18:50 5 Keep Ringing (USA),9 Spinning Belle (IRE)
19:20 8 Dinner Date

Lingfield
15:20 2 Scandal
15:50 4 Art Market (CAN)

Taunton
15:00 2 Schindlers Son (IRE)
15:30 1 Peter Pole (FR),5 Fire And Rain (FR)
16:00 2 Mutual Friend (USA),6 Boogie Dancer
17:30 3 Lucky Eric

Towcester
14:10 4 McEldowney
15:10 6 Pickamus (FR)
16:10 4 Ecureuille Rouge

[Kimmy]

The First One Not Going Racing Is At Wolverhampton
20:20 5 Buscador (USA)

[Kimmy]

OFFICIALS are confident ahead of Thursday's live William Hill Lincoln draw that track bias in Doncaster's 1m handicap is a thing of the past.

[Kimmy]

ROBERT Winston has shaken hands on a gentleman's agreement to ride the majority of horses for trainer John Best who has a team of more than 100 for the first time this year.
Although there is no retainer involved, the arrangement provides the latest evidence of how successfully Winston has gone about rehabilitating his career, and also means Best, whose star is on the rise following the exploits of Kingsgate Native, Square Eddie and Flashmans Papers, will have first call on the services of a top-class rider with the stable's 60 two-year-olds believed to include a number of potential stars.

[Kimmy]

CLASSIC-WINNING trainer Jim Bolger has called on 48-hour declarations to be introduced for all Irish meetings "for the good of racing".



Last week ATR chief executive Matthew Imi called on this move to help the channel sell Irish racing pictures to more countries and the Coolcullen trainer agrees.

[Kimmy]

There have been 354 horses killed racing during the past 745 days.

[banger]

Non Runners Updated
Carlisle
16:10 5 Euro American (GER)

Hereford
15:10 8 Florindalus (IRE)
16:20 3 Marked Man (IRE),10 The Walnut Tree (IRE)

Southwell
15:30 3 Colorus (IRE)
16:05 5 Bold Rose
16:40 2 Calculating (IRE),3 Dream In Blue

Towcester
14:45 2 Watch Out
15:20 7 Earcomesannie (IRE),9 Freeline Fury,11 Sandymac (IRE)
15:55 8 Evelith Forrest
16:30 12 Purely By Chance
17:05 2 Majy D'auteuil (FR),14 Mr Ironman

Wolverhampton
18:50 1 Kirstys Lad
19:20 6 Topflightrebellion
20:20 5 Buscador (USA)

Thurles
18:00 7 Leney Lou (IRE)

[banger]

The first non starter today is at Southwell
15:45 3 Monte Pattino (USA)

[Kimmy]

JUMP jockeys fear they could be put at greater risk of collecting whip bans than their Flat counterparts as they digested new procedures that for the first time seek to put a limit on the number of times a horse can be struck in a race.

Under changes that will be effective from Saturday any jockey who hits a horse with a whip 16 or more times in the whole race is likely to face a stewards inquiry.

Previous guidelines to stewards for cases of excessive whip use detailed sanctions for breaches committed within the last two furlongs of a Flat race or from the last two jumps of a National Hunt race, under which ten to 20 blows would incur a suspension.

On Thursday the BHA notified riders by post that "a recommended maximum number of 16 hits in the whole race has been introduced for the first time".

[banger]

Non Runners Updated
Fontwell
14:10 3 Allfortara (IRE)
15:20 6 Funny Fellow
15:55 7 Swordsman (GER)
17:40 4 Magusta (GER)

Southwell
15:10 1 Edas

Wolverhampton
19:50 6 Summer Lodge
20:50 7 Luscivious
21:20 6 Sarasota Sunshine,12 Meydan Style (USA)

Dundalk
21:00 6 Strandfield Lady (IRE)

[Kimmy]

William Hill Lincoln Statistics

Forecast Odds
7/2 Expresso Star 7/1 Swop , 8/1 Charm School, 10/1 Huzzah
12/1 Don’t Panic 12/1 Flipando, Zaahid , 14/1 Titan Triumph
16/1 Benandonner ,20/1 Blythe Knight, 20/1 Docofthebay
20/1 Mia’s Boy, 20/1 Whistledownwind, 20/1 Bolodenka
25/1 Lady Deauville , 25/1 Eva’s Request, 25/1 Royal Power
25/1 European Dream , 25/1 Dream Lodge, 25/1 Cobo Bay
25/1 Ace of Hearts, 33/1 Philario.
For Live Current Odds from multiple bookmakers



* The Lincoln is a Class 2 Handicap over a Mile
* There has been 17 renewals since 1992
* There has been 57 similar races elsewhere
* Horses aged 7 or more have a 1-43 record in this race
* Horses aged 7 or more struggled in 57 races
* They had a 2-144 record
* Those aged 7 + with Group form were 0-47
* Those aged 7 or more that were Male were 0-139
* The only runners aged 7 + to be considered are female
* Horses aged 6 or more are just 3-116 in this race
* All 3 were exposed and seasonal debutants
* None of the winners aged 6 + had ran in Group races before (0-42)
* None of the winners aged 6 + had ran this season (0-35)
* They all came from Class 2 handicaps last year
* None of the winners aged 6 + had 9st 1lbs or more (0-33)
* Horses with under 4 runs have a 0-7 record in this race
* Exposed horses with 21 + runs won only 4 of the 17 Lincolns
* Exposed horses won 13 of the 57 other handicaps
* Those with prior Group Class form were just 1-88
* Those dropping from 9f or more were 0-97
* Those with 9st 5lbs or more were 0-101
* Exposed horses winning the Lincoln were all seasonal debutants
* Those that had run this season were 0-59
* Exposed horses aged under 6 were just 1-57
* Exposed horses that ran in Group Class before are 0-34
* Exposed horses that are Male have a poor 2-135 record
* Exposed horses beaten 10 + lengths last time are 0-50
* Exposed horses with 21 + runs carrying 9st 1lbs or more are 0-36
* Horses with 13 + runs that ran on sand this winter were 1-94
* Horses with 13 + runs that ran in Group Class before were 0-71
* Horses with 13 + runs that carried 9st 1lbs or more were 1-63
* Horses with 2 + runs this season were 1-51
* 6 winners came from the All Weather
* 5 of the 6 winners coming from the sand had under 13 starts
* Horses that came from the sand with 13 or more starts were 1-103
* All 41 aged 6 or more that came from the sand lost
* None of the Sand winners lost by 10 + lengths last time (0-37)
* None of the 6 winners from the Sand came from 7f or shorter (0-31)
* Only 1 of the 6 winners from the sand carried 8st 12lbs or more (1-44)
* Looking at the record of 4 year olds in this race
* Horses aged 4 are best with 4-20 starts
* Horses aged 4 already tested in Listed Grade or higher are 1-52
* Horses aged 4 that were absent 7 months or more were 0-18
* Fillies aged 4 are 0-17
* None of the 4 year old winners came from a 3yo handicap (0-18)
* None of the 4 year old winners lost 10 +lengths last time (0-43)
* Looking now at 5 year olds
* Horses aged 5 are best with 9-20 races
* None of the past 5 year old winners had ran in Group class before (0-19)
* Three recent 5yo winners came here having placed on sand within 2 weeks
* The LINCOLN winner has rarely run in Group Class before (1-90)
* In 16 renewals the only past winner that did that was Babodana (2004)
* Those that did run within 15 days had the following traits - They were all:
* Male horses Aged 4 or 5 with 5-20 runs that came Placed from a Class 2 handicap
* They also ran over at least a mile are had under 9st
* If you look at seasonal debutants they won 13 of the 16 renewals
* Seasonal debutants that came from 9f or more had a weak 1-74 record
* Apprentice Jockeys had a 1-64 record in the last 16 years
* In 16 renewals horses beaten 10 lengths or more last time had a 1-119 record
* All 16 winners had at least placed in their last 6 runs and 15 had won
* None of the 16 winners came from a Class 4-5-6 handicap last time out
* Horses from 6f races won in 1994 and 1995
* Both were seasonal debutants aged 4 or 5 and had 8st 6lbs or less
* Horses that came from 9f or more have won 2 recent renewals
* Those with under 9 runs were 0-15
* None of these horses that came from 9f or more had 21 + runs (0-41)
* None of these horses that came from 9f or more were aged 6 or more (0-36)
* Horses that were in the Top 3 of the weights had a 1-54 record
* Horses with 9st 1lbs or more had a 2-91 record
* Both winners had under 21 starts and were seasonal debutants aged 4-5
* If a Horse has come 2nd in their last 6 runs - but not won its a problem
* These types have a 0-71 record
* Horses up in trip with fewer than 13 previous races had a 1-34 record
* No horse won this race coming from a 3 year old handicap before
* Horses with 9st 3lbs or more had a weak 2-74 record
* Horses with 9st 1lbs + with 21 or more races before had a 0-36 record

[banger]

Lincoln Racecourse is a former horse racing venue to the west of the city of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.

Lincoln Council is backing an ambitious plan to reopen the course by 2013. Racecourse inspectors have visited the former course and have confirmed that there is no reason in principle why racing could not recommence.

A private firm is putting together a business case to regenerate the Carholme Road Grandstand facilities and reclaim the city's racing tradition.

Initially between three and four meetings would be held annually. But it is hoped that, within a generation, Lincoln will have seized back its place as a premier racing venue.

Even the famous Lincoln Handicap race, now held at Doncaster, could be brought back to the city, it is claimed.

The Lincoln Handicap (or Lincolnshire Handicap) is a flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at Doncaster Racecourse in late March or early April.

The race was first run in 1858 at Lincoln Racecourse, Lincoln, and was relocated to Doncaster in 1965 following the closure of its original venue. It is the first major handicap race of the British flat racing season. At the original course, west of the City of Lincoln, the A57 main road passed between the course and the grandstand. During race meetings, this was closed off and traffic diverted, enabling BBC cameras to follow the leaders of the race at close distance all the way from start to the winning post.

[Kimmy]

PUNTERS face an added problem in solving the first big handicap of the turf season that is the William Hill Lincoln this year.
williamknight.

Not only do they have to solve the draw advantage, with hints coming from the consolation Spring Mile over the course and distance earlier on the card, but also whether it will rain.

There are those who want rain, headed by hot-favourite Expresso Star and Mia's Boy, who was cut to 20-1 (from 25-1) by the sponsors on Friday, and those who want the good to firm to remain in the ground, headed by the likes of Titan Triumph, Swop and Ace Of Hearts.

Clerkof the course David Williams said: "We had 0.2mm on Thursday evening but that is really all that has hit us unfortunately. We are good to firm, good in places on the Lincoln course."

That was music to the ears of William Knight, who has targeted the race with Titan Triumph.

Knight said: "I'm just hoping the rain stays away. If it stayslike that then our draw (22) is hard to say whether it's a good one or a bad one. We'll tuck him in and ride a race from there and let it unfold in front of him.

"He needs plenty of cover and, more importantly, having the decent horses around him who are going to carry him through to the end of the race."

Those who have supported Expresso Star at all prices down to 7-2 from 10-1 with the race sponsors face an anxious wait before knowing if they will get a run for their money.

Trainer John Gosden's racing secretary Peter Shoemark confirmed the plan of action on Friday: "The travelling head lad and the assistant trainer will walk the track before racing and see where we are. Obviously the rain has missed Doncaster although half a mile away they have had a right downpour, which is unfortunate. They are still forecast a possible shower, so we will see what happens today.

"Expresso Star is a horse who improved when stepped up to ten furlongs on soft ground so dropping back to a mile on fast ground would obviously not be ideal and the priority is the safety of the horse."

Barry Hills, who won the race in 2003 with Pablo, at least has the draw covered with his two runners on each side - Zaahid is drawn 2 and Huzzah is in stall 17.

The trainer's son and assistant Charlie Hills reported both to have winter well.

"Zaahid is next to a rail and there's plenty of pace on that side as well. He's in great form, Robert Winston has ridden him in a bit of work and is happy with him.

"Huzzah is in great form and he's going to get the trip very well."

[Kimmy]

THE Professional Jockeys' Association believes stewards will continue to apply discretion when determining whip cases in jumps races, despite the introduction of a recommended limit on the number of times a horse can be hit in a whole race.

New BHA guidelines to stewards considering cases of excessive frequency, which apply to both jumps and Flat races from Saturday, will put jockeys at risk of suspension whenever a horse is struck more than 16 times in a race.

Jumps riders, who ride in longer races than their Flat counterparts, fear the change could result in more bans for them, but Kevin Darley, the PJA's industry liaison officer, said jockeys who use the whip "professionally" should not be concerned.

"The key thing is that this is just a guide," he said. "Provided the whip is used professionally for motivation and correction then it is accepted that it is a tool of the trade, but it has to be used properly.

"I am sure that if you had a lazy three-mile chaser that was trying to drop the bridle in between its fences and it needed encouragement in between its fences, they would look at how the whip is used and how the horse reacts to it.

"As long as it wasn't excessive and it was in the right place, and the horse responded to the whip and how it was used.I think 16 really is just a guideline.

"Jockeys are aware of the pressure from outside the sport and respect that they have to have these guidelines in place."

The BHA said a jockey found to have used thewhip 16 times or more is likely to face an inquiry but not necessarily incur a suspension.

PR manager Paul Struthers, speaking on At The Races, said: "The stewards will continue to look at how the whip is used, over how long and was it necessary. There are two issues we have to be wary of, one is protecting the welfare of the horse - and we have shock-absorbing whips that are kinder to the horses - and the public perception of how jockeys use their whips."

[banger]

The first ones having a rest day are

Doncaster
14:10 17 Baze Mac,18 Black Baccara

Uttoxeter
15:45 1 Kingoftheswingers (IRE)

[banger]

Updated Non Runners
Doncaster
14:10 17 Baze Mac,18 Black Baccara,21 Lily Lenor (IRE)
14:45 18 Flowing Cape (IRE)
15:20 1 Icelandic,3 Against The Grain
17:05 17 Tres Froide (FR)

Kempton
17:20 1 Grande Caiman (IRE),10 Riguez Dancer

Lingfield
14:50 13 Dr Brass

Uttoxeter
14:00 8 Yes Ses Les,12 Just Olive
15:10 7 Keel Road (IRE)
15:45 1 Kingoftheswingers (IRE),3 Personal Column,6 Smiling Applause
16:20 6 Master Eddy,9 Be Brief
17:25 7 Miss Nightshade

Nad Al Sheba
14:15 13 Paso De Gloria (ARG)

[Kimmy]

OFFICIALS at Exeter will stage an inspection of their chase track at 10am on Monday ahead of their scheduled Wednesday meeting.

Conditions at the course were described as firm on Saturday and the the track has had only two millimetres of rain over the last 20 days.

Although the hurdles course is being watered, officials are unable to treat the chase track and clerk of the course Barry Johnson admits the chases on Wednesday's card could be in serious doubt.

[banger]

Tell the starter that we will not be racing at these racetracks today



Doncaster
14:00 1 Ghufa (IRE),20 Revolving World (IRE)
16:15 10 Mullein

Kelso
17:00 4 Devil Water

Newton Abbot
13:50 14 Thoroughly Red (IRE)
14:20 1 Nobody Tells Me (FR)
14:50 8 Search For Gold (IRE)
15:25 5 Nacimo (FR)
17:10 5 Callerlilly

[Kimmy]

THE Scoop6 eluded punters for the third consecutive weekend on Saturday, with Dansant's half length victory in the Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton sinking the remaining four tickets in the fifth leg.
A total of £290,885 is added to the win fund, with a further £124,665 in the bonus fund for next week.
Totepool spokesman George Primarolo said: "The Scoop6 is creeping towards the half-million mark and a single winner of the bet next Saturday could well find themselves pocketing over £300,000 as well as getting the chance to go for the bonus fund the following weekend."